Tunneling machine



Jime 26, 1928. I 1,674,870 E. c. MORGAN TUNNELING momma Filed Nov. 18. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented June 26, 1928. '7

UNETQED STATES nnate PATENT errata. 1

EDMUND c. MORGAN, or new YORK, 1v. Y.; oDIvE EUGENIE MORGAN EXECUTE-IX or SAID DMUND c. MORGAN, DECEASED. r

TUNNELING MACHINE.

Application filed November 18, 1922. Serial No. 601,?46.

My invention relates'to tunneling machines and although it is particularly adapted for driving tunnels through rock or earth it may also be used for driving tunnels through a coal mine, )articularly where ontries are necessary. The invention may also have a general application.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of improved and efficient appas ratus for driving a plurality of concentrically arranged cutter-s at varying rates of speed, to decrease the rate of-rot-ation of the outer cutters compared with the rate of re tat-ion of the inner cutters. I

A further object-of the invention is the provision of improved and eflicientfeeding mechanism for a tunneling machine by pro viding flat paths of travel for the floor and roof feeding devices.

' Another object of the invention is the pro; vision of a series of cutters adapted to travel in spiral paths and other series of cutters following in parallel spiral paths to dislodge the material between'the cutters of the first T series.

A further object of the invention is the provision of improved and efficient appae ratus for removing the material dislodged by spirally fed dislodging mechanism.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved and efficient 'mechanism for varying the inclination laterally and vertically of a tunneling machine comprising spirally fed cutting mechainsm.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel features and combinatons being set forth in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings -Fig. 1 is a sectional longitudinal elevation of a tunneling machine embodying my improvements.

2 is a view showing over its .lefthand portion a sectional elevation of Fig. 1 on the line 2 -2 and over its right-hand portion sectional elevations, .on the line 2 '2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. I

' Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of part of the radial cutting mechanism taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

' Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the method of dislodging. the material in diamond-shaped blocks by arranging the cutter-s so that they will travel in parallel spiral paths. u

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the main or supporting frame 5 is supported on the forward feed wheels 6, 7 and the rear steering wheel 8. The feed wheels 6 and 7 are secured to a shaft 9, which is journaled .in bearings '10. 11, asshown in Fig. 2. The bearings '10 and 11 are rigidly secured to the main frame.

The rear steering wheel 8 is provided with a shaft 12 which is journaled in bearings on the pivoted frame 18. This frame 13 is pivoted at 14 to a depending bracket 15, which is secured to the bottom of the." plate. 16. From the bottom of theforward portion of the plate 16 extends a screw-threaded rod 17 on which is threaded wheel 18 mounted in an opening at the forward portion ofthe bearing block 13. The screwthreaded rod 17 is secured rigidly to the plate 16. Therefore, by turning the Wheel 18, the frame 5 may be tilted up or down on the axisof the shaft 9.

The plate 16 has'a pivotal or swivel con motion at 19 to the bottom of the frame 5 under the motor 20. Extending from the rear lower portion of the motor frame is a bracket 21 for carrying a worm 22 which meshes with the worm gear 23 on the periphery of the circular plate 16. o By means of a wheel 24 secured to the worm 22, the latter may be rotated so as to rotate the plate 16 on the pivot 19 and thereby turn the wheel 8 to the right or to the left according to the desired change of the path of travel of the tunneling machine. It will thus be seen that by means of the foregoing construction, the direction of feeding travel of the tunneling machine may be varied laterally. By tilting the main frame 5 up or down by turning the wheel 18,'the direction of the feeding travel of the tunneling machine may be varied in inclination upwardly or downwardly. i

The motor 20 is preferablycan electric motor which may be started, stopped, re-

versed and controlled in speed in a well known manner. The frame of the motor 20 is rigidly connected to the main or supporting frame 5 and the motor armature shaft 25 is extended longitudinally forward along the machine to the cutter holder 26 in which is mountedthecentral cutter 2'7. Forwardly of the frame of the motor 20is a pinion 28 keyed to the motor armature shaft 25.. Thispini on 28 meshes with a large.

gear 29, which is keyed to a shaft 30 journaled in bearings 31, 31, on the main frame 5. Also keyed to the shaft 30 is a gear 32 which is less in diameter than the gear 29 and meshes with a gear 33 which isconcentrio with the gear 28, but mounted loosely on the'motor'shaft 25. Tothe gear 33 isconnecte'di a sleeve 34, which extends forwardly longitudinally of the machine to fit over: the motor shaft extension and rotates loosely thereon. Tiheforwarrd end of the sleeve: 34 engagesan" annular: shoulder at the rear of cutterhead 26, and ball bearings as indicated diagrammatically at 35, may be provided between such annular shoulder Mounted on theforwar'd endof the sleeve 34 are' two diametrically opposite cutter carri'ers36 and 37, each providedwith'two sockets-fbr'carrying double cutters. The cutter carrierl'36 carnies the double cutters 38 and 39r'and'ithe cutt'cr carrier 37. carries the double.

carrier 45 is provided with two sockets. for

receiving the three pointed cutter 47 'andalso the'three-pointed'cutter 48; The cutter carrier 46'is provided with a socket for'receiving the three-pointed cutter 49, and also witi-lr a socket forcarrying the four-pointed cutter 50. By referring to'Fig: 3, it will be seen that the various sockets for receiving the cutter shanks are each squarein crosssection, and each cutter shank isheld in its socket h y means of a set screw. For instance the socket 51 is adapted to receive the s'hank'47 of thercutter 47', and the setscrew 52; may hcrelied' upon to hold the cut.- ter 47' so th'at itsthree'teeth willremain in a series extendingradially from the motor shaft. 111 like manner, the socket '53 re ceives=the shank 48' of the cutter 48, and the latter may he held with its three teeth in series radial position by means of the set" screw 54", The set screw 55 is adapted to hold theshank 38" in the socket- 56in the carrier 36. g The set screw 5'? is adapted to hold the shank 39 in'the socket 58. A set screw 59 may he used to hold the shank 27 in the socket 60 of the carrier 26. In the same manner the shanks of the cutters 40, 41, 49 and 50 may be held in position in the and the'for-' ward endiofi the sleeve'34.

carriers so that the whole series of cutters 25, the cutter-2'7 willbe rotated at the-samev speed as that of the motor shaft. The pinion 28 will operate the gears 29,32 and. 33

to rotate the sleeve 34 onthe shaft 25, but at a lower rate'of speed; Thecutters- 38',- 39; 40 and 41 will berotatedas aunit onthe carrier 36 and 37, but at aslowerjspeed than the rate'of' rotation of thecutter 27..

lVhen the gear 29 is rotatedihy the pinion 28, thegcar 44- will be rotated to'impart ro tation to the gear 43 and the sleeve 42. It will be noted,- how-ever, that by reason of the pinion 44 being. considerably smaller than both ofthe gears 29-and43, thesleeve 42 will be rotated evenmore slowly. than the-sleeve 34. The. cutters 47, 48,- 49and.50

being mounted on carriers 45 and; 46, which are rigidly connected to thesleev-e 42, will he moved along'circular pathszbut ata slower rate of rotation than the other cutters. The farther the cutters are away fromitheaxis of the motor shaft, the farther they have to travel during each rotation: of the motor shaft and of the sleeves mounted thereon. For instance, when the sleeve 42;,makesone rotation, the cutters 47', 48, 49 and50 travel along a larger circle than the cutters38, 39,

40 and 41 travel when-the sleeve 34'. makes a single rotation.

By designing themachine so that the cutter 27. will havelt'he proper-rate-of rotation;

'andproper rate of feed to hore-into'the center of the tunnelheacl' and dislodge the ma terial therefrom, the tendency ofthe outer radial cutterswould be totravelso fast as to dislodge material from the tunnel heading in very small particles. By slowing. down the rate of speed of rotation of" the: outer cutters successively, the materialiwill be dislodged in larger pieces, which is part-ion -larly desirable when the tunneling". machine spiral paths having several convolutions extending into the mine heading to the same predetermined depth to which the cutters on the carriers and 46 extend. Furthermore, the outer cutters on the carrier 26 may make several more rotations than the carriers 36 and 37 along spiral paths of many more convolutions extending into the mine heading to the same predetermined depth.

It is desirable with respect to economy and power and the saving of time to have the cutters make definite cuts at such depths and such rates of feeding movements as that to which they areadapted. Preferably. the material is cut from the mine heading in diamond-shaped blocks, as shown at 121 in Fig. 4. All of .the cutters operate in the same plane, as shown in Fig. l, and the forward feed of all of the cutters along the axis of the machine is at the same rate of speed. The central. cutter operates the fastest and completes its out first. which is immediately followed by the completion of the ring cut of thecutters 38 and39. and finally the outermost cutters 47 and 4-8 complete their cuts. These cutting movements are all in the same direction and there is a continuous and gradual progression from the center of a tunnel heading outwardly; the central cuts facilitate the outer cuts and all of the cuts'are made spirally when feeding move ment of the machine along the tunnel takes place. It can readily be seen that the central cuts facilitate the outer cuts when it is considered that the cutting away of the ma terial centrally permits the surrounding material to be broken away and expanded into the opening left by the central cuts.

In order to effect feeding of the cutting mechanism into the tunnel heading. a worm is keyed to the sleeve 42 in position to mesh with the worm gear 66 mounted loosely on the shaft 9. A clutch element 67 is splined to the shaft 9 and may be moved by the mechanism indicated at 68. 68. so as to effect driving engagement between the worm gear 66 and the shaft 9. lVhen the motor 20 is operated to drive the shaft 25 and the sleeve 34 and 42 to rotate the various cutterson the axis of the motor shaft. the Worm 65 will also be rotated. and since this worm meshes with the worm gear 66. .power will be transmitted to the shaft 9 when the clutch 67 has been thrown in. When the shaft 9 is rotated in the proper direction, the traction wheels 6 and 7 will be rotated slowly to feed the whole machine towardthe tunnel heading while the cutters are being rotated. The shape of the cutters being as indicated at 47 in Fig. 4. it is necessary to secure proper rotation of the motor shaft andof the sleeves 34 and 42 to drive the cutters so that the points thereof will be in advanced positions. It will be seen by referring to Fig. 1 that when the motor in, the traction wheels 6 and '7 will also be rotated. 1

Fitting over lateral spaced apart vertical faces'69 of the upperportion of the frame 5 is a supplemental frame 70 which is adjustable in elevation relative to the. frame 5. Secured to the central portion of the frame 5 is a vertical screw-threaded rod 71 on which is screw-threaded a wheel nut 7 2, on which is supported the tube 73 for carrying the transverse bearing 74, which is mounted on the upper portion of the supplemental frame 70, as shown in Fig. 2. r

A transverse shaft 75 is mounted in the journal bearing 74 and carries at its ends the traction wheels 76 and 77 in position to engage the roof of the tunnel so as to 'cooperate with the floor traction wheels 6 and 7 to hold the machine upright and guide it for feeding purposes. By means of the wheel 72 the traction wheels 76 and 77 may be lifted or lowered whenever desired. During the feeding of the cutting mechanism 'the traction wheels should firmly grip the floor and roof and by adjusting the wheel 72 such traction along both the floor and the roof may be regulated. Y

In order'to form plane surfaces for the traction wheels to travel along, cutters are provided in advance of the traction wheels both at the floor and at the roof. The cutter for producing the plane surface 7 8 along the floor is indicated at 79 in Fig. 1. and is there shown in the form of a rotary disk cutter. A similar cutter 80 is mounted at the upper portion of the machine in position to cut the plane surface 81 along the roof. The rotary cutter 79 of sutficieut diameter to cut a plane surface 7 8 of a width somewhat greater than the distance between the outer edges of the traction wheels 6 and 7. The rotary cutter 80 is of sufficient diametcr to cut a plane path fo r the traction wheels. 76 and 77 of a width somewhat larger than the distance between the lateral edges of these traction wheels. as shown in Fig; 2.

q The rotarv cutter 79' is carried at the lower end of the vertical shaft 82 which is splined to a bushing 83 having the gear at its upper end and the collar 85 at its' lower end. The bushingSS is journaled' in The bevel gear Stand the collar. 85- lit also enclosedby the housing 87.

against opposite ends of the bearing 86 and v the gear 84 is therefore locked: in predetermined position relativeto the frame 5 for rotation on, a vertical axis, so as to impart rotation to the cutter 79. I

The'shaft 82 being splined to the bushing 83 and the gear 84;, is adjustable in elevation; Pivotally connected to the upper endof the shaft 82is a bell crank lever 88, which in turn is pivoted at 89 to the bracket 90 depending from the frame 5.v Connected: to the bell crank lever 88 is a screw-thread ed rod 91 which passes through another bracket 92 and has threaded thereon the wheel 93. By operating the wheel 93, the shaft 82 may be lifted. or lowered to adjust the elevationof the floor cutter 79.

Extending upwardly from theupper por-- tion of the frame 5 is a standard 94 carrying at its upper end the bearing95 in which is journaled the bushing 96 liaving the bevel. gear 97 at its lower end and the collar 98 at its upper enda The collar 98 and the gear 97*fit against opposite ends of the bearing 95 to lock the gear 97 in predetermined po sition 'for rotation on an upright axis. Splined in thebushing 96 soas tobe capable of: sliding, longitudinally therein is a vertical shaft 99 to the upper end of which is secured the horizontal rotary roof cutter 80.

Pivotally connected to the lower end. of the shaft 99' is a bell-cranklever 100,,which in turn is pivotally connected at 101 to the bracket 102, extending forwardly from the standard 94. Connected to the bell-crank lever 'is a screw-threaded rod 103 threaded through a. nut 104': journaled in the standard 9 1'and provided witlr a wheel 105 for operating the same. By turning this wheel 105, the shaft 99 may be lifted or lowered to adjust the elevation of the roof cutter 80. T

As shown in Fig; 2, the standard 94:, which is rigidly connected tothe frame 5, may be extended upwardly and laterally to form part of a partition to'enelose the space where the cutting operations are taking place. Hinged at 106, 106, at one side ofthe plate 94' -is a door 107 provided with a knob 108, which may be connected to suitable latch mechanism on the laterally extending housing 87. On the opposite side of the plate 94: is hinged at 109, 109 another door 110 provided with a. knob 111 connected to suitable latch mechanism on the housing 87.

It should be noted that the gearing for rotating the sleeves 34: and 42 is entirely enclosed by the housing shown at 112 in Figs. 1 and 2. The worm gearing 65-, 66 is In like manner the bevel gears 84; and 97 are entirely enclosed and so, also, the annular bevel: gear 113, which. is secured to the sleeve to rotate with latter and drive the bevel gears 84 and 97, and therefore. sinful taneously rotate the floorv and roof cutters surrounds the inner end of. the journal bear- 1ng10' and meshes with the bevel gear 115,

which is secured to the low'er end of the vertical shaft 116., The shaft 116 is splined to a collared bushing 117 journal'ed in the bearing 118, which is secured to the supplemental frame 70. The bushing 117 carries a bevel gear 119, which meshes with a bevel gear 120 securedto the shaft 75. By reason i of the shaft 116 being splined too the collared bushing 117, the supi ilem-ental frame 70: may

be adjusted in elevation to adjust the elevation of the traction wheels 7 (Sand 77, with; out interrupting the positivedriving. cone neotion between the traction whee1l6 and the shaft 75. g traction wheels 6 and 7 are positivelydriven by the worm gea ring"65, 66, the traction wheel 76 and 77 are at thesametime positively driven so as to secure longitudinal feeding. movement of the ,machine along parallel lines without any tendency of the machine to tilt up or down,notwithstanding the fact that the length of thistype of machine is comparativelyshorh It. should. also be noted that by reason of. the; angular notches produced by cutting the upper; and lower plane surfaces, the entire machine is maintained in its: upright position illustrated in Fig. 2, because twisting strainscaused by the cutting operation on the main frame will be effectually resisted by the traction wheels traveling along. the flat surfaces and limited in their lateral positions by the vertical faces at the angular notches, which assist as serving as guideways,v However, the steering Wheel 8 may be relied, uponvto direct the machine along the desired path of travel, but in any event, if there is any lateral slip of the traction wheelsg-the ang.u. lar notches or guideways along-the floor and roof will limitsuchlateral-slip and assist the traction wheels-in affording the proper abutment for the cutters to operate against.

The pointed cutters considered individually are arranged to cut successively along different adjacent paths so as" to cut out diamond shaped blocks of material asshown at 121 in Fig. 4. This arrangement is desired in order to secure the dislodgment of larger blocks of material,.particularly when the machine is operated to minecoallf By i It will thus be seen, that when the' conveying mechanism.

referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the cutter 27 is provided with three points, the central one of which is on the axial line of the shaft 25, but the point 122 will out along the space over which the recess 123 travels. In a similar manner the point 124 will cut along the path left by the space designated 125 between the points of the cutter 39. In fact the cutters and the spaces between the next adjacent points will alternate radially and diametrically so that the material left between annular grooves will be engaged by the next pointed cutter that comes along with the result of dislodging the material in diamond shaped form as illustrated at 121 in Fig. 4. The blocks of coal thus dislodged will be of regular and uniform shape, as compared with an arrangement where the cutters on opposite sides of the axis are equidistant in pairs, in which event there would be considerable slack .and such irregularityof cutting that it would be difficult to handle the material by hydraulic By means of the staggered relation'of the points of the cutters, the coal maybe dislodged in larger and ,comparatlvely regular pieces which can still be efficiently handled by hydraulic conveying apparatus.

Hydraulic conveying apparatus, which is particularly adaptable to the construction described above, comprises a hose 126 attached to the rear end of themotor frame 20, so as to communicate with the passageway 127 in the shaft 25 and the forward extension thereof. The forward end of the passageway 127 communicates with a nozzle 128 for directing streams of water to the space where the cutter 27 is to operate. Radial passageways 129 at the forward end of the tubular shaft 25' communicate with an annular passageway 130 in the sleeve 34, and this annular passageway is connected to suitable nozzles for directing streams of water adjacent the cutters 38, 39, 40 and 41. Additional radial passageways 131 communicate with an annular passageway 132 and radial passageways 133 in the sleeve 34, which in turn communicates with the annular passageway 134 in the sleeve 42. The annular passage 134' com municates with the passageways 135 and 136 .in the carriers 45 and 46 which passageways 135, 136 extend to nozzles for directing streams of water adjacent the cutters 47, 48,

49 and 50.

It will be seen that when the machine is operating and the shaft 25 as well as the sleeves 34 and 42 are being rotated, the variward portion of the machine into the basin 87, S7 in the trough being continually ex tended'by the floor cutter 79. Radial spiral blades are mounted on the upper surface of the cutter 79 as shown at 137 and 138. in Fig. 1 so that at the same time that the cutter 79 is being rotated these spiral blades will re- .space enclosing the propeller blades 137 and 138 and directing such mixture on to the endless belt conveyor 141 for transfer to position for loading intomlne cars or for removal from the tunnel.

It should be understood that the spaces in which the gearing 65, 66, 84, 97 and 113 are enclosed, are not in communication with the space enclosing propeller blades 137 and 138. The housing 112 encloses the gearing for transmitting power to the cutters at the forward face of the machine. The partition Y comprising the plate 94 and the doors 107 and 110 divides the space where the attendant controls the operation of the machine from the space where the water is being forced from the nozzles against the mine heading adjacent the cutters to wash the dislodged material into the open basin or recess, 87. 87 on to the propeller for transfer along the passageway 139 onto the conveyor 141.

Obviously those skilled in the art may make various changes in details and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the claims hereto appended and I wish therefore not to be restricted to'the precise construction herein disclosed.

Having thus fully described an embodiment of my invention what I desire secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of cutting mechanism mounted thereon, means for operating said cutting mechanism, rotatable traction mechanism for engaging the floor and roof of the mine chamber, and additional cutting mechanism rotatable on upright axes for cutting plane surfaces at the floor andat the roof for the paths of travel of said traction mechanism.

2. The combination with a mining machine, of traction mechanism for engaging the floor and roof of the mine chamber, cutting mechanism rotatable on an upright axis for cutting plane surfaces at the floor and roof in advance of the traction mechanism, means for driving said cutting mechanism, and mechanism for individually Varying the elevation of the cutting mechanism at the roof and cutting mechanism at the floor.

3. The combination with a mining machine, of lower traction mechanism therefor,

upper tract-ion mechanism therefor,a rotary floor cutter in advance of the lower traction mechanism, an additional rotary cutter at the roof in advance of the upper traction -vmechanism, means supporting said rotary eutt'ers with their axes vertical, and means chine comprising dislodging mechanism, of 'means for directing a plurality of streams of water to said dislodging mechanism, a floor cutter, propeller blades mounted on said floor cutter, loading mechanism associated with said propeller blades, and means forsimultaneously operating saidcutter and said-propeller blades to cut a plane surface at the floor and at the same time direct the ,miiz'tureof water and dislodged material to said loading mechanism.

5.1'Ihecombination with a .mining machine comprising a supporting frame and -cutting mechanism mounted thereon for rotation on alongitudinal horizontal axis, traction mechanism for said mining machine, a

lloor cutter in advance of said traction mechanism, a propeller, loading mechanism com prising a chute, and means for operating said- "floor cutter and at the same time for operat ing said propeller to direct dislodged mateterial to said loading mechanism.

6. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of cutting mechanism mounted :thereon, means for operating said cutting mechanism including the feed; thereof, additional cutting mechanism rotat- 'ableonan upright axis in position to cut a horizontal plane surface'along the floor of the mine chamber, and traction wheels conneeted to said frame in position to travel over said horizontal plane surface.

7.11m mining machine, the combination. with a support-mg frame, of mining mochanism mounted thereon, means comprising a driving shaft operating on a longitudinalv axis for driving said mining mechanism, a wormconcentric with said axis, a Worm gear meshing with said worm and journaled on a transverse axis, traction mechanism on said stransverse axis for the lower portion of said supporting frame, additional tract-ion mecha-' nism for the upper portion of said support- 'ing frame, power transmission gearing between the upper and lower traction mechanisms, and a clutch for connecting said Worm gear to the lower traction mechanism.

' 8. In a mmmg machine, the combination -with a'supportmg frame, of cutting mechanism-mounted thereon, means for operating said cutting mechanism, tract-ion mechanism for said supporting frame, and additional cuttinglmechanism comprising a rotary cutteroperable on an upright axis forcuttting a horizontal plane surface for said traction mechanism to operate on. I l

9. In a tunneling machine, the combination with asupporting frame, of means mounted thereon in position to excavate a cylindrical tunnel, tractionmechan'ism onsaid frame 'in position to engage the floor and .roof of the tunnel, and means on said frame in position to cut elongated flat surfaces at the floor and at the roof for engagement by said traction mechanism and to guide the machine in its feeding movements along the longitudinal length thereof. V

10. In a tunneling machine, the combination with a supporting frame,-of a plurality of radially stepped cutter frames inestedaone within another in spaced relation, cutters respectively secured to said cutter framesto move bodily therewith while being non-rotary relatively thereto and to have circular translating paths of cutting travel parallel to the paths of travel of said cutter frames, and

feeding movements to said cutters corresponding to the movements of said cutter frames. p 7 i V I 11. In a tunneling machine, the combination withia supporting frame, of a plurality of radially stepped cutter carriers nested "one within another in spaced relation, means for rotating said cutter carriers at varying rates of speed along a circular tunnelheadwing, and cutters respectively fixed to said cutter carriers in posi-ti on to cut away the entire circular face of the tunnel heading, said cutters being respectively connected to said cutter carriers to be non-rotary relatively thereto but to move bodily therewith along arcuate cutting paths of travel concentric with the axis of rotation of said cutter carriers. v

, 12. In a tunneling machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of radially stepped Cutter carriers arranged in nested spaced relation atmdifferent distances from 'a'predetermined axis of arcuate feeding movement, cutters mounted on said slowly than the inner cutter carriers for a given feeding path of travel.

13. In a mmmgmachinathe combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of radially stepped cutter carriersarranged in nested spaced relation at different distances from a predeterminedaxis of arcuate' feeding carriers in staggered relation carrier.

16. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame of a plurality of j ting of the material moveinent butf all approximately in the same 14:. In a tunneling machine, the combination with a supporting frame,of a plurality of concentrically mounted and radially stepped cuttercarriers arranged in nested spaced relation at varying radial distances from the predetermined axis of rotation and approximately in the same plane, cutters mounted on said cutter carriers to move bodily therewith and have circular translating paths of travel parallel to each other and successively closely adjacent each other to effect the cutfrom the entire flat circular face of the tunnel heading, and means for imparting rotative' movement to said cutter carriers at varying rates of speed to cause the outer cutters to. be rotated at lower rates of speedthan the cutterscloser to the axis of rotation.

15. In a mining machine, the combination with. a supporting frame, of spaced-apart and radially stepped cutter carriers arranged in nested relation and each elongated in radial direction and each adapted to travel along circular paths, and double pointed cutter bits mounted on said cutter so that the following cutter points will cut along'the spaces between the cutter points on the advanced pairs of radially stepped and diametrically arranged elongated cutter carriers spaced and nested one within the other at varying distances from the predetermined axis of rotation and mounted concentrically, a

" axis of rotation, and means for rotating the plurality of cutters spaced radially on each of said carriers in positionto out along circular concentric paths of travel successively closely adjacent to each other, means for feeding the cutters longitudinally of said outer cutter carriers and the cutters thereon at a lower rate of speed than the inner cutter carriers with the cutters thereon to secure approximately uniform spiral feeding movement of all-of the cutters during said feed' ing movement along said axis.

17. In a mining machine, thecombination "with a supporting frame, of a motor mounts ed thereon, a'central cutter carrier connected to the motor shaftfor rotation concentric therewith, acutter fixed to said cutter carrier to rotate bodily therewith on the axis of"tl re motor-shaft while remaining fixed ter carrier,

with a supporting thereto, sleeve mounted to rotate on said motor shaft concentric to the axis of the latter, cutter carrying mechanism mounted on the forward end of said sleeve, cutters fixed to said cutter carrying mechanism to move bodily therewith while remaining fixed thereto to enlarge the cylindrical cut made by said first-named cutter, said cutter carriers each being radially stepped and nested one within the other in spaced relation, and speed reduction gearing between said shaft and said sleeve to cause said shaft and sleeve to rotate simultaneously at diffcrent rates of speed.

18. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a central cutter carrier mounted thereon, a cutter connected to said cutter carrier to rotate bodily therewith, a driving shaft connected to said outa sleeve mounted on said shaft to rotate concentrically therewith but at a dili'erent rate of speed, cutter carrying mechanism mounted on said sleeve for circular paths of travel closely adjacent said firstnamed cutter carrier, cutting mechanism connected to said second-named cutter carrying mechanism to move bodilytherewith in position to cut along circular paths of travel adjacent said first-named cutter carrier to enlarge the cut of the latter, each of said cutter carriers being radially stepped and nested one within the other in spaced relation, and reduction gearing between said shaft and said sleeve. 4

19. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a central boring cutter, means comprising a shaft for driving said cutter. a sleeve mounted on said shaft,

' cutting mechanism mounted on said sleeve with the sleeve rotating at a lower rate of speed than the rotation of said shaft while said central cutter and said cutting mechanism move along closely adjacent concentric paths of travel in substantially the same plane to cut out from the mine vein a cylindrical space.

20. In a mining machine, the combination frame, of a driving shaft mounted thereon, a plurality of concentric sleeves mounted on said shaft, reduction gearing between said shaft and said concentric sleeves to effect rotation of said shaft and of said sleeves respectively at varying rates of speed, and radially stepped cutting mechanism mounted on said shaft and on said sleeve successively closely adjacent each other in nested spaced relation to one anotherin position to have cutting paths of travel successively closelv adjacent each other in circles to effect the complete -cut ting aWay of the material in a cylindrical space with the driving shaft and its axis.

21. In a mining machine, the combination with. a plurality of concentric sleeves, of pairs of radially stepped and diametrically opposed-cutter carrying arms carried respectively by said concentric sleeves in nested spaced relation to one another for rotation along circular paths closely adjacent to each other, radially arranged cutting mechanism mounted on said cutter carrying arms and confined to paths of cutting travel concentrio with said sleeves, and power transmission mechanism rotating said sleeves simultaneously at varying rates of speed to drive said cutting mechanism to effect the comvplete cutting away of the material from a cylindrical space having as its axis the center of rotation of said sleeves.

22. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of cutting mechanism mounted thereon for cutting material from the circular face of a tunnel heading over the entire surface thereof, =means comprising circular cutters mounted on said frame for rotation on upright axes for cuttinga flat'fioor and a flat roof along the cylinclrical .tunnel produced by the machine, traction feeding mechanism engaging the flat floor and flat roof, and means for positively operating said traction feedingmechanism along such flat floor and fiat roof While said cutting mechanism is being driven to out the material away from the circular face of the tunnel heading.

23. In a mining machine, the combination With a supporting frame, of rotating cutting mechanism mounted thereon in position to cut material from the entire circular face of .a tunnel heading to extend a cylindrical tunnel, floor tractlon mechanism connected -to said frame, roof traction mechanism the mounted-on said frame, means for driving the cutting mechanism, and means comprising Worm gearing concentric with the rotat- 7 ing both the floor traction mechanism and the roof traction mechanism to secure feed ing movement of. the supporting frame and cutting mechanism carried thereby during the driving of the latter.

24. In a mining machine. the combination With a supporting frame, of a cutter carrier comprising a frame rotatable on a longitudinal horizontal axis, cutters on said carrier in position :to out material from the upright .face of a mine vein, a Worm secured to said rotatable frame to rotate therewith, a Worm gear in mesh With said WOIHL spaced-apart floor and roof traction Wheels adapted to be connected to said Worm gear to be posi* tively driven thereby to effect feeding movement of said cutting mechanism in the direccutting mechanism for ,positively driv-.

tion of said longitudial axis during the operation of said cutters, floor and roof cutters located on sald supporting frame between sa d .traction Wheels and said first-named cutters in position to cut flat surfaces for said traction Wheels, and means for adjusting the elevationof theroof traction Wheels while maintaining a positive driving con- .nection thereto as Well as to said Ifloor traccutting mechanism rotatable on an upright axis for preparing a path forsaid floor-tract on mechanism, roof traction mechanism, roof cutting mechanism rotatable on an .up-

, right axis for preparing a ,path forsaid roof traction mechanism, means for supporting said roof traction mechanism at adjusted elevation relative to said frame, means for adjusting the elevation ofisaid roof cutting mechanism in accordance with theelevatlon of said roof traction mechanism, .and means for positively driving both .the floor tract'ion mechanism andthe roof traction mechanism irrespective of the adjustment and elevation of the latter. v

.26. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of rotatable cutting mechanism .adaptedkto be driven on a longitudinal horizontal axis, a pair of traction Wheels adapted to engage the floor, an additional pair of traction wheels adapted .to engage the roof of the mine chamber cutting mechanism in advance of the traction Wheels at the roof and in advance of the rotatable traction Wheels at the floor on .an upright axis for preparing flat passageways .for said traction Wheels, and means for simultaneously driving both ,pairs of traction Wheels during the rotation of said first named cutting mechanism to effect feeding of the latter along lines parallel to said axis. V

27. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of excavating prepare a flat passageway for such wheels,

an additional pair of SptlCed-itpitfit roof traction Wheels, additional cutting mechanism rotatable on an upright axis for preparing a flat passageway for the roof traction Wheels, means for ad ustmg the elevation of saidadditional cutting mechanism, means for adjusting the elevation of .the roof tracthe adjusttion Wheels in accordance with ment of elevation of said additional cutting mechanism, means for drivingsaid excavatmechanism, floor cutting mechanism rotatroof traction mechanism,

able on an upright axis for preparing a flat passageway for said traction mechanism, and means for operating said traction mechanism to effect feeding of said cutting mechanism.

i 29. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of cutting mechanism mounted thereon, traction mechanism for supporting said frame, a floor cutter rotatable on an upright axis in position to cut a fiat passageway for said traction mechanism, and means for operating said trac tion mechanism to' effect feeding of said cutting mechanism.'

30; In a mimng machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of mining mech anism mounted thereon, traction mechanism connected to said frame, means rotatable in a horizontal plane to form a horizontal plane surface for said traction mechanism, and means for operating said mining mechanism.

31. In a tunneling machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of excavating mechanism mounted thereon, traction mechanism on said frame in position to engage both the floor and the roof of a mine chamber, rotated cutting devices operable or upright axes for cutting flat passageways for said traction mechanism at the floor and at the roof, means for spreading apart the traction mechanism relative to the floor and roof to cause said traction mechanism to firmly grip the floor and the roof, means for adjusting the elevation of the cutting devices at the roof, means for driving said excavating mechanism, and means for operating said traction mechanism in its spread apart positions to efiect feeding of the machine.

32. In a tunneling machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of diametrically opposite elongated cutter carriers having radially stepped cutter-carrying frames at their outer ends adapted to occupy an upright position in nested spaced relation to one another for transportation, cutters mounted on said cutter carriers, means for rotating said cutter carriers to operate said cutters, traction mechanism for engaglng both the floor and the roof of the mine chamber, means for adjusting the elevation of the and means for said traction wheels including driving said traction mechanism to efiect feeding of said cutters.

33. In a tunneling machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of radial cutter carrying arms adapted to have an upright folding relation for transportation, cutters mounted on said arms, traction mechanism for engaging the floor and roof of the tunnel, and cutting devices, at the floor and at the roof for cutting passageways for said traction mechanism along the roof and the floor of the tunnel;

'34. In a tunneling machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of pairs of diametrically arranged cutter carrying arms mounted for concentric rotation about a longitudinal horizontal axis and adapted to have an upright nested relation for transportation, cutters carried by said arms, traction wheels for engaging the longitudinal centralportion of the floor and the longitudinal central portion of the roof of the tunnel, cutting mechanism rotatable on upright axes for cutting fiat passageways along the central portion of the floor and along the central portion of the roof in ad- Vance of the said'traction wheels, and means for driving said traction wheels to effect feeding movement of said first-named cutt ers.

35. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of radially stepped cutting devices mounted on said frame in nested concentric relation, means for rotating said'cutting devices at different rates of speed, means for effecting feed of said cutting devices in a direction along the axis of rotation thereof, means for directing water along such axis and to said cutting devices to produce streams of water adjacent the latter, and loading apparatus comprising a rotatable mechanical propeller for directing dislodged material rearwardly along the under side of said supporting frame away from said cutting devices.

36. In a tunneling machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of radially stepped concentric cutter carriers nested one within the other and spaced at difierent distances from a predetermined axis of arcuate feeding movement, cutters each mounted on its corresponding cutter carrier to move bodily therewith along a circular path, said cutters being mounted to out along circular paths successively adjacent and concentric to cut in small particles the entire circular face of the tunnel heading to extend the tunnel gradually by such cutting, and means for driving the outer cutters along such tunnel heading more slowly than the inner cutters for a given feeding path of travel.

37. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a plurality of radially stepped concentric cutter carriers ar ranged in nested spaced relation, means for driving said cutter carriers at varying rates of speed progressively slower from the inner toward the outer carrier-s a plurality of closely ad]acent cutters mounted on said carr ers to move bodily therewith 1n approximately the plane of the circular tunnel heada ing, the center cutterbeing adapted to bore a hole and the outer cutters heing'in position to out along circular concentricpaths successively closely adjacent to each other tofcu t away infsmall pieces the entire cir c n; face of the heading to extend the tunv nelrby such cutting, means forfeeding themac'hine to effect spiral feed of the cut ters;

38. ,In, a'mining machine, the combination I with a supporting frame, of cutter-carrying mechanism comprising a central shaft and to move along a. tunnel heading, a plurality of cutters closely adjacent to each other. successivelyalong radial lines extending from a the axis of said central shaft in position to it cut along concentric circular-path successive- 1y closely adjacent to each other to cut away the entire face of the heading to extendthe tunnel by suchcutting, and means for rotating said shaft and sleeves at different rates of speed to vary the rates of movement of said cutters along said heading according to the distance thereof from the axis of said shaft.

' 39. In a mining machine, the combination with a supporting frame, of a central shaft and a sleeve concentric therewitlngearing interconnecting said shaft and sleeve to predeterminethe relative speeds of rotation of said shaft and sleeve, radially stepped cutter carriers on said shaft and sleeve arranged in nested'spaced relationto one another in position formovement along the plane of a circular heading of a tunnel 'a plurality of cutters mounted on said carriers to out along paths closely adjacent successively to command the entire area of said heading to extend the tunnel by suc'h'cutti'ng, and means for operating said cutters by rotating the sleeve more slowly than the shaft. 7

In testimony Whereof,I have signed my name to this specification this 18th day of November, 1922. I

EDMUND o'rronoani 

